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Alcohol and the Body

While moderate
alcohol consumption can be part of a healthy lifestyle, alcohol is not generally
considered healthy. Part of its mixed reputation comes from both the short- and
long-term effects it has on your body and your health, from the brain, to blood
sugar, to the liver.

But what are the effects
of alcohol on your gums, mouth tissues, and teeth?

The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define moderate alcohol use as one drink a day for
women, and no more than two drinks a day for men. They consider heavy drinking
to be more than eight drinks a week for women, and 15 or more for men. Gum
disease, tooth decay, and mouth sores are all much more likely for heavy drinkers, and alcohol
abuse is the second
most common risk factor
for oral cancer.

What About the Teeth?

If you have a preference for mixing liquor with dark sodas or drinking red wine, say goodbye to a white smile.

Timothy Chase, D.M.D.

People who suffer from
alcohol dependency tend to have higher plaque
levels on their teeth
and are three
times as likely to suffer
from permanent tooth loss.

But are moderate drinkers
at risk for serious tooth and mouth disease? There isn’t much conclusive
medical evidence, but dentists say that they see the effects of moderate
drinking regularly.

Staining

"The color in
beverages comes from chromogens,” explains Dr. John Grbic, director of oral biology and
clinical research in dentistry at Columbia’s College of Dental Medicine. Chromogens
attach to tooth enamel that’s been compromised by the acid in alcohol, and
stain teeth. One way to bypass this is to drink alcoholic drinks with a straw.

“If you have a preference
for mixing liquor with dark sodas or drinking red wine, say goodbye to a white smile,”
says Dr. Timothy Chase, D.M.D., of SmilesNY. “Aside from the sugar content,
dark colored soft drinks can stain or discolor the teeth. Remember to rinse
your mouth with water between drinks.”

Beer is only marginally
better, according to Dr. Joseph Banker, D.M.D., of Creative Dental. “Beer is acidic just like wine.
That makes teeth more likely to be stained by the dark barley and malts found
in darker beers.”

Dryness

Dr. Banker also notes
that drinks high in alcohol, like spirits, dry the mouth. Saliva keeps teeth
moist and helps to remove plaque and bacteria from the tooth’s surface. Try to
stay hydrated by drinking water while you drink alcohol.

Other Damage

What Is “Heavy Drinking”?

For women, more than 8 drinks per week

For men, more than 15 drinks per week

The CDC says moderate drinking is 1 a day for women, 2 a day for men

Tooth damage related to
alcohol is increased if you chew the ice in your drinks, which can break your
teeth, or if you add citrus to your beverage. The American
Dental Association notes that even a squeeze of lemon provides enough acid to etch away
at tooth enamel.

One study did conclude that red wine kills oral bacteria called
streptococci, which is associated with tooth decay. Of course, you shouldn’t
start drinking red wine just for that reason!